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Night Prowler (epilogue)

Epilogue

They saw him sitting at one of the booths towards the back of the Café. Both of them looked a bit rumbled but then they really hadn’t had much sleep even though they were late for meeting Andy. It just seemed like each time they had tried to get to sleep, something had made one or both of them remember something to say or felt like they needed to do.

If anyone had bothered to watch them walk towards the back they might have seen how both tried hard not to look at each other but failed totally. It was almost as if they were wayward kids coming home late and yet still feeling the fun from wherever they had been. Neither looked directly at the other but you could see how they both glanced furtively towards the other when they thought no one was looking. Course no one was, they were all too busy exchanging the latest town buzz which neither Bailey or Chris had yet to pick up on.

They both noticed how Andy already had coffee in front of him and a mass of papers too. It was like he had been there for hours doing homework or something yet both of them seemed oblivious to it. All they could think of was sliding into the booth on one side so they could finally touch. It was cute to watch if you could, but today they could have easily kissed on the way to the booth as everyone had their heads buried together, talking and whispering about something else.

Andy was occupied by the papers in front of him. He sipped absent minded at the coffee while he went over the figures on the papers. He had been up early and hadn’t gotten much sleep either. He had thrown himself into working out this project instead, knowing that there was little if any use at all in agonizing over his loss.

In some ways it was more thrilling to be in this position. Least he could concentrate on business stuff and he knew that it was what had always gotten him excited. Being with another person was nice, but he had to admit, for him the thrill of the deal, the excitement of taking something old and making it work again had always been a greater achievement than just shooting his load. Course with Jesse it had come close to being equal but that was over, least for now he thought.

Okay perhaps he had dwelled on that a bit before diving into this project, but he had come to the conclusion that Jesse was probably right. The money differences would come between them, but it didn’t mean they couldn’t be friends. Maybe in time they could work past it though he doubted they’d ever be as close as they had been that first time. Then that had been about money too so he had quickly let the matter pass from his thoughts and moved on to what really made him feel alive, the project.

It hadn’t taken him long to realize that he was out of his depth in some of the mechanics of the project. Andy had hesitated about calling but there was no choice if he wanted to come thru for Bailey and Chris. Calling his father had been a tough decision but at the end of it, he was surprised to realize that he had misjudged the man. Sitting there sipping the luke warm coffee he felt better about a lot of things. The phone call had lasted longer than he believed possible and afterwards he knew that his father wasn’t the ogre he had imagined. They shared a common interest after all and it wasn’t just his mother. They both lived for the thrill of business and now a rough plan lay ready to present to Chris.

The noise of the two sliding into the booth across from him made him look up. He felt a small pang of regret in his heart as he saw how different both of them looked. He wondered if it would still work out now that he had a plan for Chris and his family’s dilemma? Would money change Chris back or would it alienate Bailey?

As Andy looked at them both he realized that for them, money wasn’t going to be an issue. Bailey in his own right was smart, and he could offer something to Chris that no amount of money could. Strange, he sort of wished that would have been the case with Jesse but Jesse wasn’t Bailey. He sighed as he saw how the two of them looked tired but excited. It brought a smile to his own face as he knew they had done more than just talk thru the night. It kind of amazed him that he really didn’t feel all that bad knowing that either.

You guys hungry?

Yep, starving.

Uh huh, I meant for food Bailey.

He saw the deepening redness cross Bailey’s face and had to laugh. It looked so funny as Chris smiled as well and was almost as beet red in the cheeks as Bailey. It was good to see them that way he thought as he chuckled.

Sorry, uh, that too.

Okay well order up, my treat.

Andy…

It’s okay Chris, you can buy next time, and yes, you’ll be able to I think.

Really?

Yeah, I talked with my dad this morning.

Your dad?

Uh huh, and we have a plan. It’s not quite what your folks might have wanted but it will get them off the hook and in time, well I think it’ll work out.

He didn’t really know what to say or do. The press of Bailey’s hand in his only made him feel even more at awe. Chris never really believed in luck or in angels but as he stared at Andy, as he felt the warmth of Bailey’s hand in his, he realized that he had been wrong.

Christ, I never thought, I mean…

Yeah well you haven’t heard it yet, but it’s the only way. Least your folks will get to keep the name intact, though I think some of the circling sharks will be disappointed, still it won’t allow for a lot of added luxury. Some things will need to be worked out but I am fairly certain staying in school here isn’t in jeopardy. So…

I don’t know what to say.

Well, nothing to say. It was a challenge, will be one too, part of the deal is you and Bailey and me, we have to more or less manage some of this, call it part of our school experience.

Watching the way Andy spoke to Chris made Bailey feel a bit guilty and yet he knew he had made the right choice. Hearing his name though brought him out of his thoughts and his eyes opened up wider.

All of us?

Yeah, course there is a salary allowance that goes with it, so it won’t be too bad.

Me? How’d I get into this? I mean, I don’t mind helping, but…

Andy sighed a bit as he knew that Bailey had so much to learn about life. It was part of his charm maybe that he was so trusting, but he couldn’t keep being the nice selfless one. Sometimes you just had to take what was offered and he felt it was time Bailey learnt that. Besides, this way he was fairly certain that money would not come between Bailey and Chris, so he put a slight edge to his voice this time, to make sure Bailey understood him.

Look Bailey get used to this, you can’t always do things for free, and when someone offers you the cash, take it. Free isn’t going to get you new clothes or pay for school supplies, this way you give but you also get something back, course if you don’t want to, that is up to you but..

He recognized the coldness in that last word and his heart grew still. Bailey was afraid to ask but he had to. There was no way he wanted to make money off Chris’ problems and it surprised him that Andy seemed to just accept that they would go along with it.

But what?

But the deal is more or less set guys. My dad talked it over with your folks already Chris, all that is needed now if for you and Bailey to sign on, if either of you don’t, well then the deal is off. So… want to hear the details or not?

Chris squeezed Bailey’s hand as he listened to Andy spell it out. He knew that whatever part he and Bailey had to play was not just about saving his families business, but was more complicated than that. He could see it in Andy’s eyes and he knew that in his own way, Andy was protecting Bailey as well as helping him. It made him feel a bit envious and jealous too but then he let his heart feel the warm hand in his.

Yeah… go ahead. You know, Grant is going to be really pissed off with you Andy.

Oh? Well I think Mr Waddington has other problems to occupy himself with right now, and somehow I think my helping you out isn’t at the top of his or his families list right now.

Huh? What do you mean?

Oh let us just say that last night Mr Waddington met up with the local authorities after a girl called them up. Seems our fellow classmate likes to get his way, even when people say no to him. Course that can work but these days, its called Rape whether you come from the slums or Martha’s Vineyard. Grant is in jail and somehow I don’t think he’s going to wiggle too easily out of this one. Seems the deputy who picked him up also found a bit more than roofers.

Chris didn’t feel sad for Grant. He had warned him about not listening and in some ways he was secretly thrilled that at last Grant was perhaps getting a taste of his own medicine. He was certain Grant would not enjoy Jail even for a short time.

Bailey saw the way Andy’s eyes had narrowed and he felt a small chill inside. He hadn’t seen that look before and it frightened him. His hand dug hard into Chris’ hand as he turned away from Andy’s suddenly hard cold stare.

Fuck. How did you hear all this? I mean we didn’t hear anything at school or on the way here.

I doubt if you heard anything the way you two look, but no I heard it from my Dad. Grant’s family called him as he knows the local Judge here pretty well.

Oh.

No Chris it isn’t what you think. Grant is a chip off the old block. My dad expressed his sympathy for Grant, but regretfully told them there wasn’t anything he could or would do in this instance. So, I think Grant is shit out of luck this time around. Besides Dad did call his friend, to offer his support just in case Grant’s folks found some other leverage.

No one really said much for a few moments. Chris didn’t feel happy but he didn’t feel sorrow for Grant’s predicament either. It was what he had expected and for a few moments while Andy related the news he felt frightened. It could have been him if he hadn’t stopped. In some ways he realized he had been just like Grant, but for some strange twist of fate or luck he had been spared the lesson that Grant was being taught.

Bailey’s hand in his helped to ease that fear too as he realized that he really didn’t care what happened to Grant. All he cared about was what he had now, the friendship of Bailey and after last night, well he was fairly certain that this was something worth protecting and keeping. He turned back towards Andy and the conversation now returned to the project. Thoughts of Grant had been pushed to where they belonged, in the distant memory file.

——

Sheriff I don’t like this one bit. Not one bit I tell you.

He pushed back into his old swivel chair and slowly raised his leg to place his boot on the desk. His eyes stared blankly at the man before him and he smiled to himself. Sheriff Miller saw how the man dabbed at his face with his hanky. He rather enjoyed seeing the man’s discomfort.

Well I am truly sorry about that Mayor, not much I can do now though.

Like hell, you should have told me.

Oh? I thought this was my problem, least that’s what you and the others said when we first spoke about this.

The Mayor stood there glaring. His face was mottled in a deep bluish tint with patches of purple. Dante Miller had always been one of those who you just never could figure out. There was no mistaking his pleasure in seeing him all flustered either which only made him angrier. This whole mess with Keith Tanner had always been a sore point in the town. He had hoped that once Keith had been sent off that the family would move, but when they hadn’t it had only made things more difficult. Now his death would only bring up the old wounds more, something he had hoped to avoid.

Well can’t say we all like how you handled this.

Oh? And just what was I supposed to do? Wait till he came and killed off his family?

Course not, but couldn’t you have found another way? I mean come on Dante, Boone Jones? Some folks aren’t going to take kindly to that.

Tough, better they be upset than we have a massacre to contend with. Christ don’t you realize Boone did us all a favour?

A favour? Now how in blazes…

Think for a minute Mayor, if we had caught Keith, this wouldn’t end with that. There would be a trial and you can bet that would open up a few more wounds, and what if he had got away? What would folks be saying then? Or worse what if he managed to kill his family?

Yes I can see that, still Dante…

Can You? Christ what if he had gotten away? Or worse what if he had managed to get into the house and do what he had threatened to do? My God the press would have a field day with that and then there is the college. You can bet the college folks would be thinking about pulling out or worse, what then?

All right, so Keith is dead, still did you have to deputize Boone Jones?

The Sheriff carefully looked at the Mayor. His eyes grew narrow as he tried to see if the Mayor was probing him or just being his typical red neck self? If the man had any inkling of the truth he would explode. Still, he couldn’t be sure which was why he had quickly ushered Boone away from the Tanner home and here.

Why not? He’s ex Green Beret.

And that will come out won’t it?

More than likely.

Yes and you know how some will take that, they’ll be scared. I don’t know, can’t you maybe keep that part quiet?

I can try, but you’ll have to help.

I know, I just don’t like it.

Well, up to you Mayor. Far as I am concerned, the case is over.

I suppose. What about the state folk? They okay with all this?

That had been his greatest worry but he didn’t let on to the Mayor. It had taken him a bit of talking to get Boone to sign the papers but at least this way there wouldn’t be any trouble. When the State boys had shown up it was anticlimactic as they barely glanced at the papers. Least there was something official so it made Keith Tanner’s death more legit.

Boone had given him a bit of an argument about it too. Still, he had managed to convince him that if he didn’t go along that it could only hurt Kip and his family. Boone had given in and Dante had made sure that the papers bore the date of several days earlier. He even managed to smudge some of his signature so it looked like it was routine. He had it all ready for the State boys too. The signed affidavit of acknowledging Boone Jones as a special deputy. The waiver for remuneration which had helped please the Mayor and kept the books clean. The signed oath of office was also there and he smiled as he realized how some papers with a town crest on it could make murder legal.

Course he didn’t really think Boone was a murderer but some would. It wasn’t a bad town but they just didn’t care for folks who were so obviously different. It didn’t seem to matter that Boone had served his country or had saved the lives of a small boy, two teenage girls, a sickly woman and two older boys. All they saw was the colour of his skin and him holding a smoking rifle. Well tough shit, least now they could rest a bit easier knowing it was legal, least on paper.

He felt like at last he was doing what he should have done himself long ago. Maybe if he had just shot Keith at the house that day all this wouldn’t have happened, but he had played it by the book. Now years later he knew that the book didn’t have all the answers. If the truth ever came out he’d more than likely go to jail for forging papers and covering up what really was murder. Boone had acted on his own and in his mind, Dante Miller was damn glad he had. There was no doubt he had saved Kip and his family. Too bad most around here wouldn’t see it quite that way.

Yep, the paperwork was all in order so course they are happy.

Well least you did that part right, still wish you had told me.

Better I hadn’t Mayor, least now you can blame me if folks get too uptight about it.

Don’t you think I won’t either. You have re-election coming up Dante.

Yep but if I lose, well I can always run for Mayor next year.

The Mayor just glared and then stormed out of the office. Dante Miller let out a loud laugh as the door banged shut loudly. Maybe he would run for Mayor just for the hell of it but he knew he wouldn’t. He was quite happy being Sheriff and besides, he could do more for Kip and his family and Boone as Sheriff than he could as Mayor. Besides, he rather enjoyed being a thorn in the side of the Mayor and the others. It made up a little for some of the things he had had to do as Sheriff of this burg.

——

The room smelled of grease and oil and yet it felt rather nice. His eyes were held by the face of the man who sat across from the ancient desk. He saw the mounds of paper scattered across its top and yet he knew that Boone could pluck any particular piece out without much trouble.

I don’t know what to say Boone…

Nothing to say Kip.

You saved our lives, I can’t just…

Let it go son, better it happened this way than any other way.

I would have shot him Boone.

He looked at Kip and knew that what he had said was true. He would indeed have shot and more than likely killed him too but he also could tell that it would have eaten him alive too. There was no mistaking the relief on Kip’s face that night, when he and Jesse had come racing out to see what had happened. Boone knew that he had saved a lifetime of pain for Kip and it made it all worthwhile to him.

I know, but like I said, better this way.

Why? I mean…

He was still your pa, I know, he never acted like one but better you don’t have his blood on your hands.

I suppose, still…

No still or anything, best this way so let it be.

The Sheriff okay with this? I mean you were at his office for a long time.

Boone couldn’t help but smile, though he tried to conceal it from Kip. He was as surprised as perhaps old Dante Miller himself was when he had walked over to see the body of Keith Tanner. He could still remember how the Sheriff had looked at the neat hole in the front and then at Boone’s rifle.

He said nothing for several minutes while people gathered around just in ear shot and then he grinned wide and slapped Boone on the back, telling him good job deputy, damn good job deputy Jones. He had almost fallen over in disbelief and he could hear the neighbours all muttering. Deputy was one word that kept being repeated over and over again and later, at the Sheriffs office he had been further surprised at how the Sheriff pushed the papers on him, insisting on him signing them all, including the waiver for payment.

The man had it all worked out in minutes, though he hadn’t been so sure he wanted to go along at first. He kind of relished the idea of a possible trial of his own but then reason took charge of him. It would only have hurt Kip and his folk and they had been good to him. Kip’s mom had been one of the few in town to invite him for dinner even though they had little to spare of their own. He didn’t forget those kind of things so he acquiesced and signed the papers. Now it was all legal and he rather enjoyed that notion.

More than that though it would enable him to do something he had only dared talk about with Kip. It had never seemed possible before but this had given him a way to do it. He sat there, staring thoughtfully at Kip, knowing how fond of the boy he had become over the short time they knew each other.

Course he is, you heard him tell you I had the right as a duly appointed special deputy and all that legal mumbo jumbo.

Uh huh, and Christmas is in July. Come on Boone, you and I both know that…

Listen Kip, sometimes there are things you just don’t say or question. Don’t make a deal out of this, it isn’t going to change the result and besides, this is one of those times when what you don’t know is best left that way. Catch my drift son?

But… yeah, okay but as long as you know that.. well that I appreciate all you did.

You are a good kid Kip, you deserve the help.

But you killed a man for me, I mean…

He wasn’t the first, though this perhaps was maybe one I can live with better than the others. So don’t you worry about old Boone here, I can handle this.

I know, still…

Still nothing. Besides, I been thinking I’d go visit some relations for a bit, think you and that friend of yours can handle this place on your own?

Jesse? Yeah we can, but, I mean what relations?

Distant kin, besides I been thinking. That fancy station up on the interstate, could use some decent competition and those ideas you had before, with that friend of yours helping maybe we can try some of them out.

Huh? But you said… I mean…

What? Can he or can’t he?

He can.

Then its settled. I’ll be gone for a bit, but I have arranged with the bank for you to manage things. Just make sure I come back to some cash in the account.

Boone…

Look, let’s be honest. If these changes are to work out, it won’t help if some black man who just shot some racist pig is around. It takes a long time for some folks to come around to modern ways, modern thoughts. Folks here are decent if you just give em time, don’t rub their noses in it so to speak. With me killing your daddy some will be upset, down right hostile if I try to capitalize on that with those changes.

Kip knew that the changes were something Boone had long dreamed of doing but for some reason never seemed willing to go thru with. Now he understood why which only angered him more. This wasn’t the late 60’s or 70’s and it shouldn’t matter what the colour of the man’s skin was or any of that. Still he knew Boone believed it did and maybe in some ways he was right. Many had not believed him or his mother at the trial, still he found it hard to accept.

Screw them then, If they…

Hush, stop talking like some school kid. You know I am right. Now with all that has happened if you start em up, well folks might be more inclined to take a chance out of guilt maybe, out of sympathy even and as much as that might gall you, you know that it about the only way for those changes to take hold properly.

I guess, but I don’t like it.

Neither do I son, I never really thought about it before, but I fought and saw friends die for this country only to come back to their hatred. Now I can at least see that some benefit from what I learned over there. Killing your pa wasn’t hard Kip, he deserved much worse and I am not sorry for my part in ending his life. I am only sorry it took so long. Now you can either let that hold you back or you can take the bull by the horns and make it work for you and your family and for me too.

I know, just that, well most of it is your idea, you should get the credit.

You knowing that is enough Kip. Now you have a chance, something I think you deserve, now just promise me one thing.

Anything Boone, just name it?

Stop thinking that all you have to offer is yourself, keep your pants on son.

Huh? I mean, what…

You know what I mean son, you can’t keep turning to that, this is your life Kip, make this work instead. It is a whole lot safer and besides, you will get older one day, better this works now, so deal or not?

Boone had never let on before this, yet he could tell exactly what Boone was referring to. Somehow though he didn’t mind that he knew. It was a shock and as much as he believed he could handle doing it still, it was nice to know that maybe now he and Jesse could put that behind them, permanently. It would be nice to not have to rely on that kind of work. He lowered his head as he thought for a minute then stared up at Boone’s waiting face.

In that one glance he knew that no matter how bad things got, that he had someone to go to, someone who would back him as best as he could. That made all the difference as tears welled up in his eyes. He could never repay Boone for how he now felt. Staring at the man he knew that Boone didn’t expect him to repay him in any other way than holding their friendship true. It was all he had ever hoped for as he now really did believe that he and Jess and his family had a chance to get out from under. The yoke of their past was suddenly removed and he shivered a bit as his head nodded.

Boone… yeah, deal.

Swear?

I swear.

Good enough for me then. Now get, your family could use you at home I think. Tomorrow is soon enough to get started. I’ll stop by later to see how you are getting on and with some papers from the bank for you. Now go on.

Kip stood up and as he did he saw Boone get up as well. They looked at each other and Boone held out his hand towards Kip. He looked at it and then up at Boone and shook his head. He moved in close instead and wrapped his arms around the burly ex Green Beret.

‘I won’t disappoint you’ was all he said as he hugged Boone and felt the man holding him tightly back. He didn’t need to say anything else as they both knew that he would honour his word. His heart was beating fast with excitement as he broke away. As he walked away he turned at the door to glance once more at Boone. He smiled as he noticed the small trickle of tears rolling down the dark face. He finally had a chance, and stepping out into the daylight he realized that he no longer had to face the world alone.

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